100 employees affected by Senate rationalization plan

MANILA, Philippines - About 100 Senate employees affected by the reorganization caused by the streamlining of about 39 oversight committees have appealed before Senate President Franklin Drilon to reconsider the move up to end of the year.

In a two-page letter, the Senate employees expressed concern over the rationalization of the oversight committees which caught many by surprise. The order was made effective last August 1.

“With the re-alignment of Personal Services in the budget of oversight committees, we were effectively separated from the service as the source of our salaries and benefits no longer exists,” they said in a letter sent to Drilon and other senators’ offices.

“Some of us have been in the service of our oversight committees for more than 15 years, while the others have been in government service for more than 30 years,” they said, attesting that their length of service showed their honesty and dedication to the Senate as an institution.

“Notwithstanding the rationalization, we continue to report for work and perform our duties as there are pending tasks that we are responsible and accountable for,” they added.

Apart from being unable to cash on their vacation and sick leaves as result of their immediate termination, the affected employees said they are also concerned that they won’t be able to provide for their families’ needs.

Drilon has ordered a review of all the oversight committees and some are set to be dissolved. With the plan to reduce the oversight committees to about 20, Drilon earlier announced that it would save the Senate some P50 million in funds. 

Senate President Pro-tempore Ralph Recto said that trimming down the committees translates to a savings of P 140 million for this year.

In a separate memorandum to all chiefs of staff of senators dated August 13, Drilon said all existing personnel of the oversight committees shall serve only until August 15 pursuant to the rationalization of oversight committees.

Unless their employment is approved by the chairperson of respective oversight committees, Drilon said all affected employees are terminated and that they shall be entitled to “terminal benefits” which shall be charged to available funds of the Senate.

Drilon added that during the transition period, all affected employees shall be entitled to the salaries and other benefits that may due them.

The Senate employees’ union estimated the affected employees at about 100.